Optimization of a communications system based on identification of an optical medium

Abstract

An optical communications system is adapted for connection to an optical fiber link of an optical communications network. The system obtains a fiber identifier respecting the optical fiber link; a respective optimum setting of one or more parameters of the optical communications system; and adjusts a respective value of each parameter in accordance with the respective optimum setting. The fiber identifier can be obtained from a value of at least one fiber transmission property of the optical fiber link. The fiber transmission property value is used to search a look-up table of class definitions, each class definition including a respective class identifier and at least one corresponding characteristic transmission property value. A class identifier is selected as the fiber identifier from the class definition for which each characteristic transmission property value most closely matches a corresponding fiber transmission property value. Each class definition may also include an optimum setting for each parameter.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method of optimizing one or more system parameters of an optical communications system adapted for connection to an optical fiber medium of an optical communications network; the method comprising the steps of: 
       a) obtaining a class ID respecting the optical fiber medium;  
       b) obtaining a respective optimum setting of each system parameter on a basis of the fiber identification; and  
       c) adjusting a respective value of each system parameter in accordance with the respective optimum setting.  
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining a class ID respecting the optical fiber medium comprises a step of receiving a fiber ID respecting the optical fiber medium. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fiber ID is manually entered into the optical communications system. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the step of receiving a fiber ID comprises the steps of: probing the optical fiber medium for the presence of a predetermined marking containing information of the fiber ID; and if a marking is detected, reading information of the fiber ID from the marking. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined marking is a Bragg grating. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a step of using the fiber ID to query a cross-reference table comprising a list of fiber ID's and a class ID associated with each fiber ID, to obtain the class ID respecting the optical fiber medium. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining a class ID comprises the steps of: 
       a) discovering a value of at least one fiber transmission property of the optical fiber medium;  
       b) providing a class definition table comprising a plurality of class definitions, each class definition including at least:  
       i) a respective class ID; and  
       ii) at least one corresponding characteristic transmission property value;  
       c) selecting a class ID from the class definition table based on a closest match between corresponding ones of the at least one fiber transmission property value and the at least one characteristic transmission property value.  
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective nominal value, and an allowable tolerance defining a value range of the characteristic transmission property. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a step of raising an alarm if any one fiber transmission property value does not lay within the value range of the corresponding characteristic transmission property, for any of the plurality of class definitions of the class definition table. 
     
     
       10. A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the step of obtaining a value of at least one fiber transmission property comprises a step of testing the optical fiber link in situ. 
     
     
       11. A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the step of obtaining a value of at least one fiber transmission property comprises a step of testing the optical fiber link prior to installation. 
     
     
       12. A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the step of obtaining a value of at least one fiber transmission property comprises obtaining a respective value of any one or more of: a total optical signal dispersion; a zero dispersion wavelength; an average optical signal attenuation; a length of the fiber; a total dispersion per unit length of the fiber; and an average attenuation per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       13. A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective value of any one or more of: the zero dispersion wavelength; the total dispersion per unit length of the fiber; and 
       the average attenuation per unit length of the fiber.  
     
     
       14. A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective value of each one of the zero dispersion wavelength and the total dispersion per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       15. A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the step of selecting a class ID comprises the steps of: 
       a) comparing each respective fiber transmission property value to a corresponding characteristic transmission property value within each class definition of the class definition table; and  
       b) selecting the class ID of a one of the plurality of class definitions for which each characteristic transmission property value most closely matches a corresponding fiber transmission property value.  
     
     
       16. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining a respective optimum setting of each system parameter comprises a step of searching a system table comprising a plurality of system definitions, each system definition including a respective class ID and a corresponding optimum setting for each parameter. 
     
     
       17. A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein all of the system definitions of the system table pertain to a predetermined set of one or more related optical communications systems. 
     
     
       18. A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the one or more system parameters comprises any one or more of: a transmission wavelength; a signal power; and a received signal detection threshold. 
     
     
       19. A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of adjusting a respective value of each system parameter comprises a step of adjusting a transmission wavelength of one or more lasers of the optical communications system. 
     
     
       20. A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the transmission wavelength of each laser is adjusted independently. 
     
     
       21. A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the transmission wavelength is adjusted by tuning. 
     
     
       22. A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the transmission wavelength is adjusted by means of one or more filters. 
     
     
       23. A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of adjusting a respective value of each system parameter comprises a step of adjusting a signal power of one or more lasers of the optical communications system. 
     
     
       24. A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the signal power of each laser is adjusted independently. 
     
     
       25. A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the detection threshold of each optical signal detector is adjusted independently. 
     
     
       26. A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of adjusting a respective value of each system parameter comprises a step of adjusting a detection threshold of one or more optical signal detectors of the optical communications system. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus for optimizing one or more system parameters of an optical communications system adapted for connection to an optical fiber medium of an optical communications network; the apparatus comprising: 
       a) means for obtaining a class ID respecting the optical fiber medium;  
       b) means for obtaining a respective optimum setting of each system parameter on a basis of the class ID; and  
       c) means for adjusting a respective value of each system parameter in accordance with the respective optimum setting.  
     
     
       28. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the means for obtaining a class ID respecting the optical fiber medium comprises means for of receiving a fiber ID respecting the optical fiber medium. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the fiber ID is manually entered into the optical communications system. 
     
     
       30. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the means for receiving a fiber ID comprises means for: probing the optical fiber medium for the presence of a predetermined marking containing information of the fiber ID; and if a marking is detected, reading information of the fiber ID from the marking. 
     
     
       31. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the predetermined marking is a Bragg grating. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , further comprising: 
       a) a cross-reference table comprising a list of fiber ID's and a class ID associated with each fiber ID; and  
       b) means for using the fiber ID to obtain the class ID by querying the cross-reference table.  
     
     
       33. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the step of obtaining a class ID comprises: 
       a) means for discovering a value of at least one fiber transmission property of the optical fiber link;  
       b) a class definition table comprising a plurality of class definitions, each class definition including at least:  
       i) a respective class In; and  
       ii) at least one corresponding characteristic transmission property value; and  
       c) means for selecting a class ID from the class definition table based on a closest match between corresponding ones of the at least one fiber transmission property value and the at least one characteristic transmission property value.  
     
     
       34. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein each characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective nominal value, and an allowable tolerance defining a value range of the characteristic transmission property. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising means for raising an alarm if any one fiber transmission property value does not lay within the value range of the corresponding characteristic transmission property, for any of the plurality of class definitions of the class definition table. 
     
     
       36. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the means for discovering a value of at least one fiber transmission property comprises a step of testing the optical fiber link in situ. 
     
     
       37. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the means for discovering a value of at least one fiber transmission property comprises means for discovering a respective value of any one or more of, a total optical signal dispersion; a zero dispersion wavelength; an average optical signal attenuation; a length of the fiber; a total dispersion per unit length of the fiber; and an average attenuation per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       38. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the at least one characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective value of any one or more of: the zero dispersion wavelength; the total dispersion per unit length of the fiber; and the average attenuation per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       39. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the at least one characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective value of each one of the zero dispersion wavelength and the total dispersion per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       40. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the means for selecting a class ID comprises: 
       a) means for comparing each respective fiber transmission property value to a corresponding characteristic transmission property value within each class definition of the class definition table; and  
       b) means for selecting the class ID of a one of the plurality of class definitions for which each characteristic transmission property value most closely matches a corresponding fiber transmission property value.  
     
     
       41. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the means for obtaining a respective optimum setting of each parameter comprises means for searching a system table comprising a plurality of system definitions, each system definition including a respective class ID and a corresponding optimum setting for each parameter. 
     
     
       42. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein each of the system definitions of the system table pertain to a predetermined set of one or more related optical communications systems. 
     
     
       43. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the one or more parameters comprises any one or more of: a transmission wavelength; a signal power; and a signal detection threshold. 
     
     
       44. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the means for adjusting a respective value of each parameter comprises means for adjusting a transmission wavelength of one or more lasers of the optical communications system. 
     
     
       45. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the means for adjusting a transmission wavelength of each laser is adapted to adjust each laser independently. 
     
     
       46. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the means for adjusting a transmission wavelength of each laser is adapted to adjust each laser by tuning. 
     
     
       47. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the means for adjusting a respective value of each system parameter comprises means for adjusting a signal power of one or more lasers of the optical communications system. 
     
     
       48. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the means for adjusting the signal power of each laser is adapted to adjust the signal power of each laser independently. 
     
     
       49. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the means for adjusting a respective value of each system parameter comprises means for adjusting a detection threshold of one or more optical signal detectors of the optical communications system. 
     
     
       50. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the means for adjusting the detection threshold of each optical signal detector is adapted to adjust the detection threshold of each optical signal detector independently. 
     
     
       51. An optical communications system adapted for connection to an optical fiber medium of an optical communications network, the optical communications system comprising: 
       a) a transceiver including a port connected for bi-directional communications through the optical fiber medium;  
       b) a controller unit for controlling operation of the optical communications system, the controller unit being adapted to:  
       i) obtain a class ID respecting the optical fiber medium;  
       ii) obtain a respective optimum setting of each system parameter, based on the class ID; and  
       iii) adjust a respective value of each system parameter in accordance with the corresponding optimum setting.  
     
     
       52. A system as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the class ID comprises a fiber ID respecting the optical fiber medium. 
     
     
       53. A system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the fiber ID is manually entered into the optical communications system. 
     
     
       54. A system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the controller is adapted to: control the transceiver to probe the optical fiber medium for the presence of a predetermined marking containing information of the fiber ID; and if a marking is detected, read information of the fiber ID from the marking. 
     
     
       55. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the predetermined marking is a Bragg grating. 
     
     
       56. A system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the controller is further adapted to use the fiber ID to query a cross-reference table comprising a list of fiber ID's and a class ID associated with each fiber ID, to obtain the class ID respecting the optical fiber medium. 
     
     
       57. A system as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the controller is adapted to obtain a class ID by: 
       a) discovering a value of at least one fiber transmission property of the optical fiber medium;  
       b) searching a class definition table comprising a plurality of class definitions, each class definition including at least:  
       i) a respective class ID; and  
       ii) at least one corresponding characteristic transmission property value; and  
       c) selecting a class ID from the class definition table based on a closest match between corresponding ones of the at least one fiber transmission property value and the at least one characteristic transmission property value.  
     
     
       58. A system as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein each characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective nominal value, and an allowable tolerance defining a value range of the characteristic transmission property. 
     
     
       59. A system as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the controller is further adapted to raise an alarm if any one fiber transmission property value does not lay within the value range of the corresponding characteristic transmission property, for any of the plurality of class definitions of the class definition table. 
     
     
       60. A system as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the at least one fiber transmission property comprises any one or more of: a total optical signal dispersion; a zero dispersion wavelength; an average optical signal attenuation; a length of the fiber; a total dispersion per unit length of the fiber; and an average attenuation per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       61. A system as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the at least one characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective value of any one or more of: the zero dispersion wavelength; the total dispersion per unit length of the fiber; and the average attenuation per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       62. A system as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein the at least one characteristic transmission property value comprises a respective value of each one of the zero dispersion wavelength and the total dispersion per unit length of the fiber. 
     
     
       63. A system as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the controller is adapted to select a class ID by: 
       a) comparing each respective fiber transmission property value to a corresponding characteristic transmission property value within each class definition of the class definition table; and  
       b) selecting the class ID of a one of the plurality of class definitions for which each characteristic transmission property value most closely matches a corresponding fiber transmission property value.  
     
     
       64. A system as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the controller is adapted to obtain a respective optimum setting of each system parameter by searching a system table comprising a plurality of system definitions, each system definition including a respective class ID and a corresponding optimum setting for each system parameter. 
     
     
       65. A system as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein all of the system definitions of the system table pertain to a predetermined set of one or more related optical communications systems. 
     
     
       66. A system as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the one or more system parameters comprises any one or more of: a transmission wavelength; a signal power; and a received signal detection threshold.